The Sermon Notes of Harold Buls

1. David Chryteaeus, one of Luther's students, called John 17 Jesus'
High Priestly Prayer. In this prayer He intercedes for the Church. Cf.
Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25; 9:24 and I Jn. 2:1.

2. In vss. 1-5 Jesus prays for the glorification of Himself and of the
Father and for the salvation of all people. In vss. 6-19 He prays for the
disciples. In vss. 20-23 He prays for the Church of all ages. In vss.
24-26 He prays that His own be with Him and see His glory.

3. This chapter tells us much about the Word of God. This Word is the
Father's gift to His Son. This Word reveals the true God to man, brings
man to faith, preserves him in this faith and is absolute truth.

4. Vs. 20 says that there is no revelation outside the Apostolic Word.
The word "their" refers to the Apostles who received the Word from
God.

5. The word "one" in vs. 22 is used in two senses. Christians are one in
the faith. Father, Son and Holy Ghost are one in essence. The two
unities are analogical, not identical.

6. The word "in" in vs. 23 is used in two senses. Christ is in us by grace
through faith. The Father is in Christ by nature. The two are analogical
not identical.

7. This chapter was spoken by the incarnate Christ, the God-man. In
vs. 2 He notes that the Father gave the human nature of Christ authority
over all flesh. The Father gave the human beings to Christ's human
nature. As true God Christ already had these things. In vs. 4 the Father
gave the human nature a task. In vs. 10 He says: "All that is mine is
yours and yours is mine." That was already true of Jesus' divine nature.
He is speaking of what God gave Christ's human nature. In vs. 24
Christ speaks of "that which you gave Me." He already had it as true
God. And so the "Me" must refer to His human nature. Also in vs. 24
Christ speaks of the "glory which you gave Me." He already had this
glory as true God. The "Me" refers to His human nature. The union of
God and man in one person in Christ Jesus is a great mystery.

8. In vss. 1-5 Christ speaks of glorification. In the suffering, death and
resurrection of Christ, the Father and the Son glorified each other. The
angels at Bethlehem said: "Glory to God in the Highest." That was
fulfilled when Jesus suffered, died and rose again.

9. All men were redeemed and saved by Christ Jesus. Vs. 2.

10. We have eternal life when we know and believe in the only true God
and Jesus Christ. Vs. 3. He is the only true and genuine God. All others
are false. Truth is found only in Him.

11. In vs. 11 Jesus calls His Father "Holy Father". Only here in the
Bible does that title occur. The Pope in Rome blasphemously uses this
title of himself.

12. We became Christians only because the Father gave us to His Son.
Vs. 6 Jesus gave us the Word of God. Vs. 14. Jesus has kept us from
evil. Vs. 15. We are sanctified in the Truth because of Jesus' prayer.
Vs. 1. We are one in the faith and in union with the Triune God only
because of Jesus' prayer. Vs. 21. We don't cause unity. Jesus does
that. We shall see the glory of everlasting life only because Jesus prayed
for it. Vs. 24.

13 When a Christian feels his sins and weaknesses he should read this
chapter to realize that he is safely in the keeping of Jesus Christ.

14. Christians have Christ's joy in themselves because of what Jesus
said and did. Vs. 13. It is true even when we don't feel the joy.

15. The unbelieving world hates Christians because they are not
worldly. The world hates Christians just as they hate Christ. Vs. 14.

16. Christians are in the world but not of the world. The word
"world" occurs with higher frequency in this chapter than anywhere
else, 18 times. It has various meanings. In vs. 5 it means "the
universe." Also in vs. 24. It means "the world of people" in vss. 6, 11,
13, 15, 18 and 23. It means the "unbelieving world" in vss. 9, 14, 16
and 25.

17. The verb "give" occurs here 17 times, more than anywhere else in
Scripture. Thirteen speak of the Father giving to Christ. The remaining
four speak of Christ giving to mankind.

Jesus prayed and still prays for us. And the Father always hears and
answers Jesus' prayers. Jn. 11:41.42. He is our High Priest Who
sacrificed Himself for us and stands between God and us. In His
prayers He prays for two things:

1. The things which He did for us;
2. The things which He works in us.

I. THE THINGS WHICH HE DID FOR US

The verb "to sanctify" means "to set aside for a sacred purpose." The
verb "to sanctify" is used three times. It is once of Jesus, once of the
Father, and once of Christians. Vss. 17 and 19.

A. Jesus sanctifies Himself for us. Vs. 19. This is something
that only Jesus did. Only He is our Savior. How did Jesus
sanctify Himself? By becoming a human being, by taking the
sins of the world upon Himself, by conquering Satan, by dying
for us. Jesus says in vs. 18: "You sent Me into the world." The
Father gave His Son to all of mankind. "God was in Christ,
reconciling the world to Himself.

B. The Father sanctifies us. Because of what Jesus did for us,
the Father now applies this to us. How does He do this? By
means of the Truth, God's Word. His Word is Truth. This
world is a world of darkness, doubt and uncertainty. God's
Word is a lamp for our feet and a light to our path. Ps. 119:105.
Paul told Timothy (I Tim. 4:2) "Preach the Word. Do it whether
you or the people feel like it or not." The Word means law and
Gospel. The law shows us our sin and how to please God. The
Gospel brings us forgiveness of sins and strength to serve God
and man.

C. We are sanctified in the Truth. The Word of God gives us
faith in Jesus and love for our neighbor. If we reject the Word of
God we become like King Saul and Judas, lost, despairing and
wanting to kill ourselves.

II. THE THINGS WHICH HE WORKS IN US

Jesus said: "I will not abandon you as orphans. I will come to you."
Jn. 14:18. Three times in this great prayer Jesus promised to send the
Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-17; 15:26; 16:8-11).

A. The Apostolic Word works in us. In vs. 20 Jesus prays for
those who will believe through the Apostles' (their) Word. Paul
said in Eph. 2:20: "You are built on the foundation of the
Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself the chief
cornerstone." Jesus comes to us through the Apostles' Word
which is God's Word. The Triune God, Father, Son and Holy
Ghost come to us in the Apostolic Word. The Triune God gives
us faith in Jesus and love to our neighbor. The Apostolic Word
makes us one with the Triune God. We do not cause unity in the
church. Only God and His Word do that. Read vss. 20-23
again. Because of this unity the world believes that the Father
sent Christ. Vs. 21. Because of this unity the world realizes that
the Father loved the world just as He loved Christ. If the world
believes and realizes this, how much more don't Christians
believe and realize it? We are attracted to other people who believe
just as we do.

B. The Apostolic Word sends us. Jesus says in vs. 18: "Just as
You, the Father sent me into the world, I likewise have sent
them, Christians, into the world." See the Table of Duties,
Russian Catechism, pp. 29-32. God tells pastors, hearers,
husbands, wives, parents, children, servants, workers,
employers, governments, citizens, children, and all what to do
and how to live. All Christians are servants. None are masters.
They are like Christ Who came to serve, not to be served.

CONCLUSION

Why did I become a Christian? Because Jesus prayed for me. Why do I
believe in Him and love my neighbor? Because the Triune God and the
Word of God live in me. Why do I look forward to everlasting life?
Because Jesus daily forgives all my sins and gives me the hope of being
with Him forever.

This text was converted to ascii format for Project Wittenberg
by Cindy A. Beesley and is in the public domain. You may
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comments or suggestions to: Rev. Robert E. Smith of the Walther
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